Dell Mini 5 / Streak prototype impressions

Dell's puzzled the world for quite some time with its outlandish Mini 5 / Streak -- at first glance it's just another Android-based MID, but a quick fiddle with it reveals the full-fledged 3G phone inside. So will it fit in a pocket? Can we carry it around like a normal phone? Is this the future form factor that will bring the ultimate balance between portability and practicality? With such heavy dose of curiosity, we eventually traveled all the way to Shenzhen literally just to grab this prototype. Now, before you read on, do bear in mind that some of its features -- especially the OS -- may not make it to the final design when it comes out later this year, nor do we know what stage this prototype was at. We good? OK.

Let's start with the basics: the main specs on our unit include Android 1.6 (which will definitely be obsolete for the final product), five-inch 800 x 480 capacitive touchscreen, Snapdragon QSD8250 chipset (with CPU clocked at 1GHz), Bluetooth, WiFi, GPS and WCDMA radio. Sadly, we have no info on whether the Mini 5 will have other cellular radio options, but it wouldn't hurt to send Dell a petition regarding this matter. For those who want the dimensions and weight in numbers, it's about 152mm x 78mm x 10mm at 8 ounces (including the battery, which lasts for almost a day for normal usage on 3G). Memory-wise there's 405MB RAM and 1.63GB of internal storage -- a slight let-down for the latter, so let's hope the retail unit will be given a more generous dose of silicon. You can add a microSD card next to the battery on the back, but it appears that the mysterious second card slot we saw in the earlier teardown only gave us false hope -- we couldn't find a way to get to it without prying open the housing. Connection to your computer relies on a proprietary port -- similar but slightly larger than the iPod's -- to USB cable, which may suggest that we will see some more peripherals made for the Mini 5 and its future siblings.

Dell Mini 5 / Streak prototype impressions

Software, buttons and keyboard

We won't bore you with a full list of preinstalled Android apps on our Mini 5, but there are indeed a few that are worth mentioning: the usual bundle including Google Mail, YouTube, Amazon MP3, WebKit browser (with pinch-to-zoom but no Flash support), Google Maps (no pinch-to-zoom, boo!), K-9 Mail (which supports Exchange server) and Quickoffice (a file browser that can also view Word, Excel and PowerPoint documents). For multimedia there's the standard Android music app, a Gallery app by ArcSoft (pinch-to-zoom supported), and a three-year trial of the forthcoming CyberLink Live for Android that gives you "instant access to your photos, music, and video stored on your home computers." There's no social networking integration (like MOTOBLUR and Sense) as such, but you can use the preloaded Meebo IM for chatting on AIM, Facebook, Google Talk, ICQ, Windows Live Messenger, Yahoo, etc. If you want to be discrete about your gigantic phone, you may find the Voice Control app by Nuance handy for voice-dialing -- it can be triggered by holding down the button on the bundled handsfree earphones.

Many of the apps support both portrait and landscape modes, although landscape mode only works one way (with the dock connector pointing downwards). This is actually pretty neat for those who like to read in portrait mode while lying in bed, but you'll have to get used to leaning on your right side of your body for this. The dialer app -- as pictured above -- is only available in portrait mode and does look like work in progress, plus we haven't found a way to initiate or receive video calls, leaving the front-facing 640 x 480 camera pretty useless except for some casual self-portraits. Hopefully the final software build will have these fixed. As for normal phone calls we've found voice quality on both ends to be satisfactory.

Going back to the homescreen, we see that Dell's done some skinning -- the top bar houses a button for triggering the apps menu (unlike the traditional pull-up menu on most other Android devices), along with a homescreen switcher button and notifications button. The shortcut icons are contained in shaded grey squares. Only a couple of widgets got our attention: Power Control allows us to quickly change the screen brightness and turn on / off various wireless connections, while the cute TasKiller widgets let us kill apps one by one or all in one go. The widgets for Twitter, Facebook and RSS are useful, but like those on other Android phones, they still lack options for refresh rates. Any chance that we can have enhanced versions, Dell?

The only physical buttons on the Mini 5 all reside on the top edge (when held as pictured above). Starting from the left we have a 3.5mm headphone jack, followed by buttons for volume, power and camera (which has two stages: focus and then capture). On the right of screen there are three touch-sensitive buttons with haptic feedback: back, menu and home. Like other Android phones, the on-screen keyboard can be triggered by holding down the menu button, and as you can see above, the landscape version has a numpad that you may or may not like -- frankly, the keyboard offset is pretty annoying since we need to stretch our right thumb across the numpad for handheld typing, plus the keys could've been bigger if the numpad wasn't there. We think those two factors are to be blamed for our constant typos, so a numpad-less option would totally make our day. That said, when the phone's placed on the desk, we typed better on the landscape keyboard using our index fingers. Similarly, the portrait keyboard performed better with our thumbs while we held the device.

Multimedia experience

Given the MID form factor and that gorgeous five-inch screen, we immediately loaded a few MP4 videos of various resolutions (1080p, 720p and 480p) to see what the Mini 5 could take. Annoyingly, our Mini 5's default video player could only handle MP4V video codec, so we had to convert our test videos, including the MP4 files that were compiled by iMovie (which encodes in H.264). On the contrary, Carrypad's heard from Dell at MWC that the final product will support "H.264 and other codecs." Even then, the device failed to open our 1080p files, but that's not the end of the world considering 720p is already plentiful for the 800 x 480 screen -- we had a 7Mbps 720p video playing smoothly with just the odd stutter. On a similar matter, the preloaded YouTube app performed nicely for us, except for the lack of higher quality playback options to make full use of the large screen.

Moving on to audio: the Mini 5 has a mono speaker on the back that sounds loud and surprisingly clear, but naturally, the bundled earphones sound even better -- we'd scale it to somewhere between the levels of the iPod buds and Apple's in-ear headphones. Fans of stereo Bluetooth headphones will be pleased to know that our Mini 5 supports A2DP and AVRCP, which are particularly useful for devices of such size.

The main camera offers five-megapixel pictures of reasonable quality, along with decent 640 x 480 video capture but with slight rolling shutter effect (aka "jelly motion"). The accompanying camera app has a wealth of settings for both modes: scene, white balance, brightness, contrast, and resolution. Extra settings for photo mode include flash, self-timer, multi-shot, shutter sound, GPS location and flicker adjustment, whereas video mode has options for video format (MPEG-4 and H.263). Both support digital zoom of up to 4x. Once a picture is taken, you get a three-second preview along with options to edit, send, set as wallpaper / contact icon and delete. You get the same options by accessing the photos on the left-hand bar. In edit mode you can rotate, crop, adjust colors, draw, resize and add various goodies (effects, frames, text and clipart). Thankfully, there are undo and redo buttons, too.

Here are a couple of videos and some photos captured by the five-megapixel camera:

Dell Mini 5 prototype camera photo samples

Comfort

Understandably, most people are concerned about whether this 5-inch tablet would fit inside their pocket. We're happy to tell you that it snuggled nicely in our jeans' pockets, which is most likely to do with the device's sensible thickness and our lack of tight pants. Apart from the slight exposure (as pictured below) and the occasional struggle when walking up stairs, we've had no other issues with pocketing our Mini 5. A more popular concern would be whether you'd look like a dork when holding the monstrous phone right next to your face. To be honest, it's not too bad, except the user would most likely be more concious about the size, simply because you'd have to stretch your fingers a bit to accommodate the unusually large footprint and weight -- you can see the size better demoed in the earlier walkthrough video. Just keep that to yourself and you'll be fine -- so far most blokes who've seen and touched our Mini 5 have said they want one, so this phone is already quite the masculine symbol. And yes, the phone makes a great tool for chatting up the ladies, too (although they've all said it's too big and heavy after playing with it; perhaps the Mini 3 will strike their fancy?).

Wrap-up

Dell may not be the first to forage into the scene of oversized smartphones (see HTC Advantage and HTC Universal), but it looks like the combination of Android, Snapdragon, 3G affordability and resurrection of the tablet trend may give the Mini 5 a great potential. We found the five-inch form factor to be neither too big nor too small, perfect for browsing the web, watching videos (watch out, Archos 5!), car navigation and reading ebooks on the go. Even the battery life matches most current 3G phones, despite the larger screen and faster CPU. We haven't seen one yet, but a dock for this phone would be a great addition as it's just big enough to serve as a digital picture frame, if not a side monitor for your social networking apps or emails. Update: the dock exists!

So, would we get one? Absolutely. Would we buy one? Depends -- Dell's been pretty tight-lipped about pricing, and some of you have even expressed concerns about the possibility of this WCDMA phone heading to AT&T. As mentioned before, the firmware on the actual phone will definitely be different when it comes out at some point this year, so hopefully between now and then Dell can work in some social networking integration, a podcast subscriber, a prettier dialer app, a better keyboard and Google Maps with pinch to zoom. As for hardware, all we ask for is a better camera and larger internal storage. Cheers for now, Michael!

[BigJayDogg3 Posted Feb 19th 2010 12:47PM]

@Joseph9307

AT&T's smartphone data plans are $30 a month. I'd assume this would be the same.

[beckhams777 Posted Feb 19th 2010 1:07PM]

@Joseph9307

and plus... i'd rather pay more for this device than the iPad.

But on a side note, it will be interested to find out how it will go to AT&T since the iPad has the exclusivity with that carrier so far

[G33K3d uP Posted Feb 19th 2010 3:07PM]

@BigJayDogg3

I pay $15 dollars for my MEdia NEt plan on AT&T for 3G. Not to mention I have an 3Gs that I tether with heavily!

[Drybones5 Posted Feb 19th 2010 3:43PM]

@BigJayDogg3

I wish AT&T had data only plans. Like the iPad has data only, this would be awesome to be data only too

[kracklejack Posted Feb 19th 2010 12:32PM]

Seems like its made from a material that scratches easy. I had an Archos 7 that all you had to do was breath on it and a scratch appeared. I can't stand it when my electronics get scratched with no problem. Some durability would be nice.

[evildoer Posted Feb 19th 2010 1:31PM]

@kracklejack
the display is covered in "gorilla glass" which is supposedly very scratch resistant.

[kracklejack Posted Feb 19th 2010 2:11PM]

@evildoer
I'm not talking about the screen, everywhere else.

[Ducman69 Posted Feb 19th 2010 12:32PM]

Thanks for that, excellent preview! =)

The size for calls isn't much of an issue for me, since in my car I use handsfree anyway, and on the go I "keep it in my pants" and use a bluetooth headset. I'm just not sure I'm in love with the OS.

[hit9ent Posted Feb 19th 2010 5:55PM]

@Ducman69 I agree... Dell can step it up on the OS experience. I hope HTC comes out with a similar 5" tabPhone with the Sense UI built in. Also, please add HD video recording!!!

[masta vaan Posted Feb 19th 2010 5:59PM]

@Ducman69
unless you dont like android, that'd be a problem. but if you do like android, you can customise it to hell

[abecfive Posted Feb 19th 2010 12:33PM]

This is a great look at this device. I've been looking for a wifi device for a while that I could ditch my phone for. For me, 3g connectivity is becoming a moot point.

It looks as though android may fill this void, it's moving closer at least for my dream product. I'd really like a MID, great for surfing the web on the go, that I can use a voip client as the main phone, not some kind of weird redirection trickery. The wifi would need to keep that connection open, allowing me to receive calls while in standby mode and in range of a known wifi network.

I want to believe.

[christexaport Posted Feb 19th 2010 7:12PM]

@abecfive
N900. Hello??

[DeviantmacG Posted Feb 19th 2010 12:33PM]

Kinda big for a phone ...

[BigJayDogg3 Posted Feb 19th 2010 12:49PM]

@DeviantmacG

The same thing was said about the iPhone when it was released. Look at it now.

[ifinoxonifi Posted Feb 19th 2010 2:22PM]

@DeviantmacG

Exactly my sentiments. Theres no way in hell i'm pulling this thing out of my pocket every couple mins to respond to a text or phone call. If i were traveling then i'm sure it would be great, but not for everyday cell phone use.

[Drybones5 Posted Feb 19th 2010 3:40PM]

@ifinoxonifi

I will... :)

[Smart People Play Tuba Posted Feb 19th 2010 3:47PM]

@ifinoxonifi
I could get over the size when making calls (use a bluetooth headset), but it's the feel of it in the pocket. I mean, I don't need this huge flat spot on my tight when I'm walking down the hall.

[dansus Posted Feb 19th 2010 7:31PM]

@DeviantmacG

Its not a phone.

[nickyP Posted Feb 19th 2010 12:34PM]

This might be an odd request for engadget, but with some of these devices, could you go ahead and just straight up picture it next to a ruler, rather than just other devices. The thing is, i'm 6' 3", and most large phones don't bother me in the least, but I'd like to be able to judge whether or not something would be impractical by reading your articles. That said, excellent preview, and considering this is a prototype and this will launch at the earliest in the summer there is a lot to look forward too.. but I'm probably just going to get a htc hd2, since I'm willing to bet it will run windows phone 7 and let me boot android if I would want it. That phone is like a ninja.

[Richard Lai Posted Feb 19th 2010 12:43PM]

@nickyP I've actually provided the dimensions. Here they are again: 152mm x 78mm x 10mm

[nickyP Posted Feb 19th 2010 12:46PM]

@Richard Lai Hah, I can't believe I missed, that, it must be the 'mm' not being immediately picked up when I scanned through, thanks again.

[dantzig Posted Feb 19th 2010 12:47PM]

@Richard Lai

There is no way that thing is only 10mm thin. That's thinner than the Nexus One. I just don't believe it.

[Richard Lai Posted Feb 19th 2010 12:49PM]

@dantzig It's real. We've already posted pics of it right by the iPhone 3GS and the Motorola DEXT / CLIQ too.

[nickyP Posted Feb 19th 2010 12:58PM]

@Richard Lai Do you think this large of a form factor for a phone is worth it or is this kind of a jack of all trades master of none type thing? I get the vibe more and more that Apple knew what they were doing with the ipad, by keeping applications that just need a larger screen on a separate device rather than producing a huge iphone/ipod and hoping people would be ok with it. I worry that much android developers won't bother optimizing for these large screen android devices.

[dantzig Posted Feb 19th 2010 1:03PM]

@Richard Lai
wow. that's thin.

@nicky
same resolution as N1, so i'm not sure how much optimization developers could do, other than touch-based input areas having more breathing room.

[Spiny Norman Posted Feb 19th 2010 12:36PM]

Dell, lose the proprietary connector. What's wrong with plain 'ol USB?

[ZSX Posted Feb 19th 2010 12:43PM]

@Spiny Norman Exactly, doesn't Europe mandate microUSB for phones?

[dotster Posted Feb 19th 2010 12:47PM]

@Spiny Norman I thought I read in some other article that the dock was for HDMI? So I guess maybe it's a HDMI + USB port?

[Joe McG Posted Feb 19th 2010 1:03PM]

@ZSX

Only for charging the battery, and the manufacturer has the option of providing an adapter.

[Drybones5 Posted Feb 19th 2010 3:28PM]

@dotster

Dell said it has HDMI out, do that must be the dock. HDMI + docking

[ChazClout Posted Feb 19th 2010 12:36PM]

HUGE for a phone.
Perfect size for a tablet/slate type device.

I want.

[saifrc Posted Feb 19th 2010 12:43PM]

This reminds me of how I used to try to use my Nokia 770 internet tablet like a phone. Tethered via bluetooth to a small HSDPA 1.8 flip-phone, I could log into Gizmo (no Skype on the 770 back then) and place calls with it, which I thought was awesome. Trouble was, the microphone was located at the "bottom" (one of the long sides), the speaker was located on the corner of the face, and there was no microphone input jack. Yeah, I looked like a huge dork trying to do that...

It looks like the Dell Min 5 makes it easier, though. There's really no reason why it should be a terrible experience to hold an object of that size next to your head -- Zack Morris used to do it all the time.

[windywoo Posted Feb 19th 2010 12:44PM]

How fast do pages render? I would have liked to see a video of that. My Pulse renders a site like imdb in about 20 seconds which is not too bad but not at the same level as my desktop. If it were somewhat faster I might have fewer misclicks due to the screen loading something just as I click.

[Richard Lai Posted Feb 19th 2010 12:52PM]

@windywoo We do have a video of that! Go to 6:35 in the first video.

[Bobot Posted Feb 19th 2010 12:44PM]

Nice presentation...don't get me wrong but i think that this product is only for a few people...(probably with buggy trousers, big pockets and big heads)...what i mean is that its very big for a phone IMO..

[DailyGifter Posted Feb 19th 2010 12:45PM]

This could be the phone to die for for all the FarmVille & Mafia Wars players out there. Small enough to hide from your boss/teacher but big enough to harvest your crops, collect bonus items, etc. Guarantee to increase your level up rate.

[DTJ Posted Feb 19th 2010 1:36PM]

Get a life, farmville and mafia people.

[mastahc411 Posted Feb 19th 2010 3:27PM]

@DailyGifter
If thats your first thought when you see this thing, then I have bad news for you.

[Student Driver Posted Feb 19th 2010 3:50PM]

@DailyGifter MW worked fine on my N1 until they changed to using Flash for the properties in NY. Once flash makes it out to the N1, I imagine it will be fine. This is basically a bigger version of the N1 (same proc and screen resolution) so I imagine it will be easier to use since the screen is bigger and a little less zooming to do.

[TheAndrey Posted Feb 19th 2010 12:52PM]

Probably the manliest phone ever made. I want one!!

[Richard Lai Posted Feb 19th 2010 12:54PM]

@TheAndrey Hell yeah!

[BigJayDogg3 Posted Feb 19th 2010 12:54PM]

If AT&T can pick this up and make it $400ish with a 1 year, and do it before June or so, I'm definitely buying.

My one and only fear (sticking out of my pocket) has been allayed. And worst case scenario, if I want to wear my skinny jeans (God forbid), I just pull the SIM card and put it into one of my smaller phones.

Jeebus I'm excited!

[cmc893tx Posted Feb 19th 2010 12:54PM]

Looks neat. I am excited to see what the finished and polished OS/Applications will look like.

[AlexSanchez Posted Feb 19th 2010 12:56PM]

So it's official

I'm buying this over the Nexus One.

Thank you so much Engadget, you continue to please your readers.

+1 To the entire Engadget Team

[Firehazel Posted Feb 19th 2010 12:56PM]

It's a Phone? Aww...

[The Gunner Posted Feb 19th 2010 12:57PM]

I think the 4 inch screen size is perfect, larger and more useful than a 3 inch screen but not as large as this

[DJ Posted Feb 19th 2010 12:57PM]

Interesting. This is probably the biggest a cell phone could be while still being practical for use. I like it, definitely not for fashionistas with their tight girl pants (Topolsky I'm looking at you)

I can't wait for a full review to see how Dell shapes this up.

[mappo Posted Feb 19th 2010 1:00PM]

It's like the HD2's fat cousin that can't stay away from the potato chips.

[dantzig Posted Feb 19th 2010 1:08PM]

@mappo
aside from being thinner than the hd2, yes.

[WC066 Posted Feb 19th 2010 1:01PM]

it's big!